Charles smith



(No Model.)

C. SMITH. OPPIGE'INDIGATOR.

Patented Mar. 1, 189:8.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SMITH, OF CASTERTON, VICTORIA.l

OFFICE-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,095, dated March 1, 1898.

Appiiaion nea Ocioier 18,1897. :serai No. 655,594.. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES SMITH, surgeon, a subject of the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Casterton, in the Colony of Victoria, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oiiice-Indicators; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide an indicator for office and general use specially adapted to facilitate the business of professional or other persons whose avocations often require themto leave their chambers, consulting-rooms, or offices and the movements of whom it is desirable to be able to accurately and readilytrace. Indicators hitherto have generally given an insufficiency of information in this respect, and thereby much loss and inconvenience have been caused, and

desired interviews have been prevented or unduly postponed.

Now in order that an indicator of the character above named shall be worthy of general adoption it is necessary to provide it with means of quick adjustment or arrangement to make it indicate any one or several of a multiplicity of intimations relating to the business of the user, and this varied adjustability should be producted without sacrificing compactness, simplicity, and comparative These requirements have been met by my invention', which I illustrate in the accompanying sheet of drawings and will now proceed to minutely describe, it bein g understood that the relative scale or size of the parts may be varied from that shown in the drawings according to taste.

Figurel shows a front View of a suitable forni of my indicator. This form is arranged for hanging to a wall, but it may be stood in easel-fashion upon a table or may stand upright, fitted into a slot in any suitable weighty base. (Not shown.) Fig. 2 is aview in vertical section on the line l1 in'Fig. l, omitting the panel E and movable shutters F and G, hereinafter described. Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section on the central line 12 in Fig. l upon an enlarged scale. Naturally no cards II appear in this view. Fig. 4 :is a View in horizontalsection on the line 13 in Fig. l upon the enlarged scale in Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are views in vertical section on the lines 14 and l5, respectively, in Fig. l, the scale being larger than in any preceding figure. In Fig. 5 a hooked-on card is also shown. Figs. 7 to 10 show various details, Fig. 7 being on the scale in Figs. 5 and 6 and Figs. 8 to 10 on the scale in Fig. 3.

Colors are not further mentioned in this specification, but it should be understood that colors may be and are preferably used to differentiate the parts in all cases where there are a series of similar parts, such as destination-cards or pointers.

A represents a board or backing of wood, preferably, (but it will be understood throughout this specication that I- do not restrict myself to any particular materials, but may use whatever are suitable,) and B is a slideway upon it, and immediately below the latter are a series of slideways C, and below the parts C (either immediately or with the interposition of a comparatively narrow space only) is a clock-dial or time-indicator D, having the words Will return at (or equivalent words) thereon or in proximity thereto. The slideways are formed by pieces of framing A', aiiixed to the backing A. The slideway B contains on the left-hand side or part a panel E, intended to have marked thereon the name of the person to whom the indicator is to refer, and in this specification and drawings an imaginary Mr. Doe will be treated as such a personage. The right-hand side of the same slideway has upon it the Words Is in, (or equivalent words,) and between the panel E and the back board two movable shutters F and Gr rest in the slideway, the former bearing the words Is out and the latter the words Has gone to, or equivalent words in each case. It will thus be seen that according to the adjustmentof the shutters one of the following intimations is exhibited-viz. Mn Doe is in, hln Doe is out, Mr. Doe has gone to. In practice the words Is in are placed nearer the Words Mn Doe than in the drawings, thus preventing the double indication simultaneously that Mr. Doe is out7 and also in.

When Mn Doe has gone to is exposed, the continuation (but not necessarily the com- IOO pletion) of the sentence is given by the aid of destinations-such as Senate, Bank, Church, .I'Iome, Hospital, G. P. 0., Lunch,or any otherswstated upon movable cards II or the like, slipped into the slideways C, and each of these destination-cards can be covered or uncovered by a movable shutter J. Some shutters are shown closed, some open, and one partly open, in Fig. l, and when any card is uncovered its shutter will occupy the central part. of the slideway, and this part I cover in by a shield or the like L. It isthus possible to have all the destination-cards uncovered or all covered at the same time. I show compartments for six cards, but there may be any desired number of such compartments, and as the places where M12 Doe might go would not always be included in any particular six cards provision is made for a sufficient quantity of additional cards suitably inscribed with destinations being kept on hand by having one or more compartments R near to the slideways C in which these eXtra cards are to be kept.

The outer side of each slideway is closed or opened by a movable bar K, which maybe locked down, if desired, a staple being shown for this purpose at K. As shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, the opening is preferably effected by swinging the bar radially on end pivots K2. Thus the cards in the slideways can be altered at will, so as to have those ready for exposure which are most often necessary. In order that the several destinations to which Mr. Doe may go maybe indicated simultaneously without creating confusion, pointers O are provided, which according to this part of my invention are attached by the framing A by means of a tail P, which slides in a groove in the said framing, as seen in Fig. 5. Some of these pointers are numbered upon their front 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on, (or with equivalent expressions,) so that they may be used to sho7 the order of the visits Mr. Doe has gone out to make.

The tails P or other connection to the frame A may be short or springy or not closely inclosed by the slot, so as in either case to enable any pointer to be removed without sliding it out sidewise; but the use of pointers which cannot be so withdrawn and which are removable bysliding onlyhas the advantage that the bars K, when locked up, will prevent tampering with the pointers by unauthorized persons.

As it is probable no matter what cards are in the slideways that visits will be paid to other places than those particular cards indicate and as the changing of one or more cards in the slideways on such occasions would be a trouble worth avoiding, I provide to remedy this on each pointer a hook Q or equivalent means of attachment, whereby any card can be hung upon said hook or attached to said pointer. Thus any destination-card in the compartment R could be exposed at a moments notice.

The cards which may have to be attached to a hook Q or the like are therefore provided with means for attachment for this purpose, as the hole S, which is shown in Fig. 5. In using the Word card it will be understood that any material may be used which will act as a tablet for the purpose stated. There are spaces T (see Fig. 4) behind the sides of shield L, between it and the framing A', to allow the lower ends of the pointers to be slipped out of sight, which will be done when they are not in use. One pointer is shown in the latter position in Figs. l and 4.

To keep at hand pointers which are not in use a storage-space R is utilized.

The shutter-shield L has a framed front to hold a slidable or removable slab or slate M, a pencil being preferably located in a conti guous pocket N.

In case none of the cards either in the slide- Ways or in compartment R show the required destination, or in the event of some additional intimation in connection with Mr. Does absence being necessary, the slate or slab M will be used, its special position-. e.,followin g the words I-Ias gone to-ftting it for that purpose. Any pointer can be hung upon the top frame of the slate M, so as to completely keep up the simplicity and perfection of Iny system of indicating.

Referring to Figs. 8 to l0 and parts of Figs. l and 3, I will now describe my ti nie-indicator, the use of which is essential to the completion of the extended kind of sentence this indicator is adapted to form-such as (tide Fig. l) Mrl Doe has gone to,-iirst, The senate, second, The bank, third, Home; will return at 12.7. Although the other parts of my invention could be employed in conjunction with a common clock-dial provided with ordinary hands, my special form of time-indicator has the advantages that it renders tampering with it diflcult and that it can be quickly adjusted, when one has a key, either as shown in Fig. 9 or ofother suitable form. The key passes through the central h'ole D2 of the dial-glass and so engages the minute-hand, behind Which hand is afxed a small barrel D',which passes over and is free to turn around a central spindle NV, a cross-pin YV at the outer end of IV serving to prevent Dl becoming disengaged from said spindle. The base of the barrel Dl is normally pressed upwardly by the forked end D3 of a spring D4, the said spring having its other end fastened to any backing. This keeps the minute-hand clear of and free to be revolved independently of the hour-hand, the barrel of which, X, lits loosely around a hollow spindle X, which is slotted or has a gap at X2 to allow of the free passage of the spring D4.

There is a frontal conical depression Y at the hour-hand center and a corresponding rear conical projection Y at the minute-hand center, and it is obvious that when the key is IOO IIO

fitted in place and pressed down the spring D4 will yield and the projection Y will meet and press part Y. Consequently if while the pressure is kept on the key is turned both hands Willmove simultaneously, so that their adjustment toA any position can be very quickly effected, the surfaces of Y and Y',

which contact, being made rough enough to prevent slipping.

There still remains to be provided'for, the case in which any exposure of a clock-face would be undesirable, as when Mn Doe is in. Accordingly an opaque lid Z is provided, having any suitable means of closure. The Words Appointments for day (or similar words) are arranged in a convenient position near the clock-dial or time-indicator, as likewise the words Callers and Messages, (or similar words,) and located in conjunction with each expression is a slab or the like A2 and A3, respectively,which is generallymade withdrawable (by sliding it outward) to facilitate the Writing thereon of any appropriate intimation.

Part of the frame around each slab is'preferably attached to the slab and serves as a handle when the same is withdrawn or replaced. The Appointments-for-day slab may have 'marked thereon the hours of the day, allotting each h our a greater or less space, as per probable requirements, or it may be left blank.

Compartments U at the top are optionally combined with my indicator to hold date-indicating cards, which will serve as a perpetual calendar.

Where the dating arrangement is omitted, a considerable amount of space will be economized, and the indicator in this form will be more suitable for attachment to the outside of an office-door. Noris the Leave-card compartment V essential to my invention. Vhere space must be economized, that compartment may take the place of one of the compartments R, and the clock-face may be located, as already stated, immediately under-the framing of the lowest slideway C.

Various modifications may be made in the details of this invention while preserving its spirit-that of having in an indicator matter of the kind set forth previously suitably prepared, inscribed, or printed, and of having the said prepared matter so arranged in combination with pointers, shutters, and other accessories as to enable any one of a multiplicity of intimations of the kind set forth to be quickly exposed by the said indicator at the will of the operator.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim isl. In an indicator of the class described, the combination with a slideway B, the left-hand part of which exhibits an intimation, and the right-hand part of which is provided with a name-panel E; twov shutters F and G, each of which bears a distinctive intimation, and is capable of sliding behind said panel, or in front of the intimation on the left hand of the slideway; of a series of slideways C; a series of destination-cards H adapted to slide therein; a series of movable shutters .T,adapt ed to cover or expose all or any of said cards, and meansfor locking said slideways closed, substantially as described.

2. In an indicator of the class described, the combination with a slideway B, the left-hand lpart of which eXhibts an intimation, and the right-hand part of which is provided with a name-panel E; two shutters F and G, each of which bears a distinctive intimation, and is capable of sliding behind said panel, or in front of the intmation on the left hand of the slideway; of a series of slideways C; a series of destination-cards H adapted to slide therein a series of movable shutters J, adapted to cover or expose all or any of said cards; and a shield L covering the middle portions of said slideways and having spaces behind the same into which the movable shutters may slide and be concealed either singly or collectively in'any desired combination, substantially as described.

3. In an indicator of the class described, Jthe combination with a clock-dial, of the hourhand having larger barrel X provided with a frontal concavity therein; the minute-hand having smallerbarrelD' with rearward convex projection adapted to engage in said concavity in the barrel of the hour-hand when forced inward; a spring normally tending to hold the barrel of the minute-hand out of contact with the barrel of the hour-hand; and means for confining the said minute-hand Within prearranged limits, substantially as described.

4. In an indicator of the class described, the combination with a slideway B, the left-hand part of which exhibits an intimation, and the right-hand part of which is provided with a name-panel E two shutters F and G, each of which bears a distinctive intimation, and is capable of sliding behind said panel, or in front of the intimation on the left hand of the slideway; of a series of slideways C; a series of movable destination-cards H adapted to slide therein; a series of movable shutters J, adapted to cover or expose all 0r any one or more of said cards; means for locking said slideways closed; an adjustable dial; and a hinged opaque cover for said dial, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES sMrrH.

Witnesses:

W. H. CUBLEY, G. G. TUNIS.

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